Things to do in Gaobeidian

Taking advantage of the National Day holiday, I visited Kaishan Temple, a thousand-year-old temple in Gaobeidian City, finally completing my year-long tour of the eight major Liao Dynasty architectural complexes. Kaishan Temple is probably the most unassuming and understated of the eight. Located in a narrow, noisy alley in the town, the temple offers free admission by swiping your ID card. In 1996, Kaishan Temple was designated a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. The main hall of Kaishan Temple is a Liao Dynasty structure. This five-bay wide and three-bay deep hall is supported by only four golden pillars, considered an ultimate example of pillar-reduction construction. A Tang Dynasty white marble Thousand-Hand and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin statue in the main hall is the temple's most prized possession, predating the Liao hall itself by three hundred years and classified as a national first-class cultural relic. The main hall lacks a suspended ceiling; all the original Liao Dynasty mortise and tenon joints are exposed, allowing visitors to directly observe the construction standards of a thousand years ago. Kaisan Temple does not have a dedicated parking lot. The path in front of the temple can probably accommodate eight or nine cars, so parking is usually quite tight.

This road trip to Hebei included a special trip for the children to the Xiong'an Impression Exhibition Hall, allowing them to immerse themselves in understanding this city of the future. The exhibition hall is divided into three main areas: symbiosis, co-construction, and sharing. Naked-eye 3D light and shadow, AR interaction, and a huge city model vividly present Xiong'an's past, present, and future. The light and shadow painting of Baiyangdian Lake helped the children understand the original water town atmosphere of this land; the giant 3D sand table intuitively displayed the three cities above ground, underground, and in the clouds, captivating the children's attention. There were also digital cycling and interactive installations, offering educational experiences beyond dry text explanations. The only downside is that the first-floor exhibition hall is not large; the entire experience takes about thirty minutes.

Sister Wang's explanations are incredibly down-to-earth and detailed. Her voice is loud and clear, easy to understand, and she's adept at creating a lively atmosphere. She's approachable and her entry points are very engaging, making the 3-hour lecture anything but boring. She even teaches photography angles and techniques, what to photograph and what not to. Highly recommended!

One of the best memories of Beijing! It was really cool getting to see the animals up close. A really extensive park with lots to see. Worth a visit if you love animals!

Absolutely amazing experience at Universal Studios Beijing! This was my third visit, and every time feels just as exciting as the first! I bring tour groups to Beijing, and we always love visiting this incredible park. So many unforgettable moments and fantastic attractions! One day is definitely not enough to explore everything. We’ll keep coming back again and again! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Finally got to visit the Great Wall of China at Badaling! 🇨🇳❤️ The views were absolutely breathtaking, and seeing this incredible piece of history in person was such an unforgettable experience. It was freezing cold and involved lots of walking and climbing, but every step was worth it! Definitely a must-visit when you’re in Beijing🏔️

张洋导游讲解的非常好！All visitors should book the national Museum of China trip. It is not easy to book on your own, book through Trip.com and have a guide to share the history with you..

Sanyi Palace is perfect for a Three Kingdoms fan like me, as there are many stories about the glorious deeds of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei in the courtyard; however, the courtyard is densely covered with greenery and has a large number of mosquitoes. If you visit in the summer, be sure to bring mosquito repellent spray and long-sleeved clothing for protection. I got bitten several times during my visit 😂😂😂.

Well worth a visit. The garden areas are massive and there's loads to see. Just be aware that the area with the famous blue temple is completely packed and you'll struggle to get close up.

The Chinese architecture is breathtakingly beautiful, and the extravagant lifestyles of the high-ranking officials stand in stark contrast to the impoverished lives of the common people. It's also a great place to learn about the history of the Qing Dynasty.